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Samsung BD-D7500

Built around a ground-breaking new disc mechanism, Samsung’s BD-D7500 is the world’s smallest 3D Blu-ray player. Indeed, it’s so tiny it comes with a wee stand to hold it aloft just so you know where it is. Because of its size, connectivity is inevitably compromised. There’s only room for a single HDMI output, plus related string, on its underside.

Given that this player is made for fashionistas, you wouldn’t expect much in the way of performance – but its video output is suitably crisp. 2D-to-3D conversion is also offered, for those that want to dimensionalise existing disc libraries. Having access to Samsung’s Smart TV hub is a welcome bonus: BBC iPlayer, YouTube, Vimeo and DailyMotion are all on-board. Wi-Fi is built-in but media playback is at its best from USB; across a network this Samsung tends to get a little confused by file types.

Samsung BD-D8500

If you’re looking for more than just disc playback, consider this hybrid which incorporates a 500GB Freeview HD DVR (there are also versions with 1TB and 250GB drives respectively). As you might expect, such co-habitation means the deck is a little more fulsome than other disc spinners. Samsung’s Smart TV net connectivity is also included, which means BBC iPlayer, YouTube and more apps than you’ll find in the Appalachians. There’s a single HDMI output, plus the usual routine extras. Wi-Fi is built in.

While HD Blu-ray image quality is unlikely to disappoint, CD playback is fairly mundane. BD loading times are relatively slow. The deck’s DVR works well, but you can’t stream or go on-line while the machine is timeshifting. Media playback is fine from USB – MKV, AVI and MOVs all play – but music is restricted to MP3 and WMA.